Major Change Announced For ‘Star Wars’: Galactic Starcruiser

Posted on May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Hollywood Studios

The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser has been making waves since its inception at D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim, Southern California. Then, in March last year, the 2-day, 2-night adventure officially opened and welcomed Guests onboard the immersive world of the Chandrilla Star Line’s Halcyon spacecraft.

But, its cost has caused significant backlash and feedback, leading Disney Parks to enact a major change to the pricey experience.

Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, Central Florida) welcomes millions of Guests each year. Even though The Walt Disney Company has divided opinion in recent years with the introduction of the paid FastPass service, Disney Genie+, and the continuing use of the polarizing Park Pass reservation system and its Park Hopper attribute, Disney fans flock to the Resort for their dose of Disney magic. Though, some say that magic is gone and will “never again” return.

But with over 25 Disney Resort hotels spread over the giant theme park estate, Guests can harness their own wallets to match their chosen Disney experience. From Value Resorts like Disney’s Pop Century Resort to Moderate offerings like Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Deluxe hotels like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, vacations to Disney World can vary quite significantly.

Stormtroopers in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

One stay at Disney World sent shockwaves through the fandom when it debuted last year. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened in the Disney’s Hollywood Studios area last March to mixed reviews. While some applauded its immersive adventure element and feat of Walt Disney Imagineering, most blasted its astronomical price, which sees starting prices for a standard cabin beginning around $5,000.

The 2-day, 2-night adventure welcomes Guests to take part in the storytelling of the Star Wars universe, even going so far as to link Guests up with adventures in the Black Spire Outpost, AKA Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. As part of the experience, Guests will embark on a trip to Batuu at Hollywood Studios where they will be able to ride iconic attractions like Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, as well as take in the local delicacies and beverages at Oga’s Cantina or build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop. They may even encounter some Star Wars characters like Kylo Ren along the way.

When the Halcyon launched, voyages could be booked throughout the year on most days — weekdays and weekends. Since, the company has drastically reduced the number of voyages, seemingly due to the lack of bookings from Guests. Just recently, Disney announced a huge Annual Passholder discount for the following voyages:

April 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29
May 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29 and 31
June 2, 4, 6, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26 and 28

And that Annual Passholder discount has been extended with an additional voyage added on July 2, 2023.

But that is not the only change that has happened for the Star Wars: Galatic Starcruiser. Disney Parks have just revealed another major pricing change for the costly experience, seemingly in an effort to attract more Guests to the halls of the Halcyon to experience the galaxy far, far away.

Per WDW Info, Disney Visa Cardmembers are now able to book a Galactic Starcruiser voyage at the Disney Park with a 30% discount, much like the Annual Passholders were offered. The dates of these reduced voyages are:

May: 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29 and 31
June: 2, 4, 6, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26 and 28
July: 2, 8, 10, 22, 24 and 30
August: 3, 13 and 29
September: 8 and 16

For full terms and conditions, head to the Walt Disney World website.

The Star Wars: Galatic Starcruiser offers experiences like the Crown of Corellia Dining Room, the Sublight Lounge, Lightsaber Training, and Bridge Training.

A rainbow crosses the sky over Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle

The discount announcement comes as Disney CEO Bob Iger and the Walt Disney World Resort sue Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over his government’s retaliation to their views on his controversial Florida Parental Rights in Education bill and the subsequent fallout, including the dismantling of Disney’s special district Reedy Creek.

Disney Celebrates World Wish Day by Bestowing Highest Honor

Posted on May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Make-A-Wish is an organization near and dear to my heart. Though I’ve never been in the position to have a loved one be a Wish Kid, having lost a child I know all too well the fear and pain the Wish Families go through. The fact that Make-A-Wish exists to bring joy to terminally and critically ill children is one of the purest things on earth if you ask me. There’s no honor I think Wish Kids don’t deserve so when I discovered how Disneyland celebrated World Wish Day my heart smiled.

April 29 is World Wish Day in honor of the day the very first wish was granted, and it just so happened to be a Disney Wish! To honor that, Disneyland bestowed Make-A-Wish with its highest honor- a window. At both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. If you look up on Main Street USA, you’ll see names on the windows. These names aren’t random- they honor an individual (typically a Cast Member or Imagineer) who has made a significant impact in Disney Parks history.

On April 28 2023, the day before World Wish Day, Disneyland dedicated three windows to Make-A-Wish. Present at the dedication was Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock, Make-A-Wish America President and CEO Leslie Motter and Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro. Two very special mothers were also in attendance as well as six children on their own Wish Trips.

The center window is dedicated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and all Wish Kids, past, present, and future. The two represent the wishes that started it all. One window is dedicated to Chris Greicius, the inspiration for Make-A-Wish. The other window is dedicated to Frank “Bopsy” Salazar, the first ever wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Both children tragically lost their battle with leukemia at 7 years old but their stories on and inspire.

The Chris Greicius Story

In 1979, Chris Greicius had one dream in life: to be a policeman. He always said that he wanted to catch bad guys. During the course of his illness, he developed a close bond with family friend and US Customs Agent, Tommy Austin. They would play cops and robbers together (Chris was always the cop).

Eventually, Chris was hospitalized and it became clear to his family (and Austin) that he was going to lose his fight. Austin decided he had to do something for Chris. It wasn’t fair that he wasn’t going to get the chance to grow up and catch bad guys, but maybe his dream could still come true somehow.

Austin reached out to Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer Ron Cox and together with the help of the department, they made a plan for Chris’ Wish to come true.

Lt. Col. Dick Schaefer stepped in and gave Chris one of his own old badges. He also swore Chris in as an official honorary Department of Public Safety Officer. They didn’t stop.there though. The department gave him a helicopter tour of Phoenix and he even got to “drive” a police car (with help of course). The officers presented him with an official police uniform that had been specially created for him. They delivered it to him at the hospital where he wore it with pride. Unfortunately Chris lost his battle with leukemia two days later.

His mother, Linda Pauling was touched by the kindness shown to her son in his final days. She recognized what a difference that wish being granted made for him. Together with Frank Shankwitz and Scott Stahl, Linda helped found the Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial which would later become the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Linda was one of the two special mothers present at Disneyland during the dedication. She is pictured above with her son’s window before it was installed.

The Frank “Bopsy” Salazar Story

Frank “Bopsy” Salazar’s story has been told so many times that it has become something of an urban legend. It’s been changed and altered and details have been added or taken away as the story is passed along. After much research, I’ve tried to do his story justice and bring the most accurate retelling available because everyone’s true story deserves to be told.

Like Chris Greicius, he was a 7 year old boy in Arizona battling leukemia When his wish came true. It was his doctor, Dr. Frank Barranco, who helped make it happen. He introduced Bopsy’s mother to Linda Pauling in 1980 and Pauling explained what her brand new foundation was trying to do. When asked what his wish was, Bopsy gave it some very serious thought.

At first he said he wanted a hot air balloon ride. Then he changed his mind and wanted to go to Disneyland. Finally he decided what he really wanted was to become a fireman. He let everyone know he’d decided. Make-A-Wish had other ideas though. The organization’s co-founder Frank Shankwitz had been visiting with Bopsy to find out about his dreams. Instead of making him choose between the three wishes, they’d grant all of them!

He got his balloon ride and his trip to Disneyland (which catalyzed a long-lasting relationship between Disney and Make-A-Wish) but it was the firemen who really made Bopsy’s final days joyful.

Phoenix Fire Department’s Fireman Bob — whose real name is Bob Walp — stepped in the give the boy his wish and make his firefightinf dreams come true.

In an interview with HufPost Walp said, “We didn’t want to just give him a tour. We decided to give him a badge and a jacket. We let him use the hose. We took him in the truck.”

One day in 1981 Bopsy took a turn for the worse. Someone from the hospital called Make-A-Wish who contacted Fireman Bob. The fireman brought his team out and decided to say hello to their friend Bopsy in the most unforgettable way: they climbed their fire ladder up to his window and climbed in. Toward the end of the visit, Bopsy turned to Fireman Bob. “Am I a real firefighter?” he asked. “Well, yeah,” Walp responded. “Of course you are.” Bopsy passed away the next morning, after becoming the first ever Wish Kid.

Bopsy’s mother, Octaviana Trujillo, is the other very special mothers that was in attendance. She is pictured above also with her son’s window.

It is my sincere wish that child illness and loss never touch your life. Pauling, Trujillo, and I all belong to a tragic club and I never want to accept new members into this club. Losing a child is the greatest pain imaginable. No one should ever know what it feel like for your child to receive a devastating diagnosis …or worse. However, for those who do know and live this pain, I am grateful that Make-A-Wish exists. Bringing joy to any child, but especially a sick child, is one of the most noble things a person could ever do. If you’d like to be a hero and help make a child’s wish come true, you can donate here.

Spirit of Aloha is Demolished but a NEW Luau is Coming to Disney

Posted on May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

When Spirit of Aloha was demolished at Disney’s Polynesian Resort last year it left a hole in our hearts and Disney’s “dinner and a show” offerings. With its departure, only the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue was left. We love Hoop-Dee-Doo but there was something truly magical about Spirit of Aloha. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a luau?

Get ready to get excited because a brand new Luau experience is coming to Walt Disney World! This time, the festivities are coming to Disney Springs! Morimoto Asia is hosting an all-new luau where you’ll immerse yourself in Asian-Pacific culture during this traditional Hawaiian party.

The food will be and upscale buffet but true to theme: in true Morimoto style, sushi, and poke bowls will abound and there will even be a whole roasted pig! The fun doesn’t stop at the food either! Live performers will delight and dazzle with performances by a live band and hula dancers will. There’s even a strolling ukulele player! For dessert, you’ll enjoy island favorites like pineapple tarts and butter mochi, haupia squares, and Mango parfait! Custom leis will also be available for purchase when you book.

That’s the good news. The bad news? This event will only be around for an extremely limited time. In fact, it’s one say only: Sunday, May 14, 2023, to celebrate Mother’s Day! That means you’ll want to hurry because this event will sell out. The cost is $150 per person and tickets can be purchased in advance here.

Curious about the food? Check out the menu:

POKE BAR:

Traditional ahi poke, Hawaiian sea salt, inamona, chili, green onion
Korean-style tako (octopus) poke, kimchi, gochujang
Lomilomi salmon, tomato, cucumber, onion, shiso
Rainbow’s local mac salad
Chinatown chilled ginger chicken
Okazuya namasu, cucumber, carrot, wakame

SUSHI BAR:

Spicy tuna roll
Spicy salmon roll
Yellow tail roll
California roll
Shrimp tempura roll
Vegetable roll
Chef’s selection nigiri

HOT LINE:

Kahuku Food Trucks’ famous garlic shrimp
Aloha shoyu roasted chicken
Mahi-mahi tartar sauce
Morimoto baby ribs, hoisin chili
Portuguese sausage fried rice
Spam musubi teriyaki sauce
Mini loco moco, mushroom gravy
Saimin

PIG ROAST

Roasted pig and cabbage
Yuzu chutney, hoisin BBQ

DESSERTS (SERVED TO TABLES):

Haupia squares: coconut milk, milk, sugar, cornstarch
Pineapple tarts: caramel cream, vanilla tart shells
Mango parfait: mango mousse, raspberries
Passionfruit pops: white chocolate, passion fruit puree, pop sticks, white truffle shells, heavy cream
Butter mochi mini cakes

Celebrate mom in style this year at Morimoto Asia. Food, dancing, entertainment…this event will have it all so that you can give her a Mother’s Day she’ll never forget!

Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live-Action Film Coming to Disney Parks

Posted on May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

“The Little Mermaid” is releasing in theaters on May 26, 2023, and Disney Parks are gearing up to commemorate the film with new meet and greet opportunities with Ariel inspired from the film.

Life truly is the bubbles at Disney Parks! Beginning in late May, Ariel is trading her fins for human legs and stepping into a world beyond the sea as she appears in the all-new live-action story “The Little Mermaid,” releasing in theaters May 26, 2023. In celebration of the film’s release, Ariel will be venturing out to select Disney Parks where guests will get to meet her this summer.

We’re always looking for ways to build connection through the power of our stories, and we are excited for fans to enjoy meeting Ariel from both the animated and live-action stories at Disney Parks. Check out all the places Ariel from the live-action story will be making special appearances this summer!

Walt Disney World – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

When Ariel’s adventures on land take her to Walt Disney World Resort, guests will be able to meet her by visiting Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Ariel invites guests to be “part of her world” and for a limited time, see a special sneak peek and props from the film available at Walt Disney Presents Theater. Come be immersed in the live-action “The Little Mermaid” story at Walt Disney World!

Disneyland Resort – Disneyland Park

Heading west to Disneyland Resort, Ariel will venture on land to greet guests along the promenade near “it’s a small world” at Disneyland park. Is life under the sea better than anything they have on land?! Guests will have to come see for themselves this summer at Disneyland!

Starring singer and actress Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel, the film holds an all-star cast, including Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy. Check out Halle’s announcement below!

Disneyland Paris

At Disneyland Paris, guests can share an interactive and fun experience with the character Ariel, from the live-action story, as she invites everyone at Walt Disney Studios Park to join a joyful, limited-time celebration in honor of the new movie release. From “Under the Sea” to “Kiss the Girl”, come and join in this unforgettable musical moment!

“The Little Mermaid,” visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar-winning animated musical classic, opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 26, 2023. “The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.

Be sure to see “The Little Mermaid” only in theaters May 26, 2023!

Disney Unveils Official Movie Releases for the Rest of 2023

Posted on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

So far, 2023 hasn’t seen many theatrical releases from the House of Mouse. But not to worry—there’s plenty of good stuff on the way.

Disney recently unveiled their 11-movie release slate at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, which will fill out the remaining months of 2023. While some films will get a theatrical run, many others will be sent directly to Disney+ and Hulu.

The studio released Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in February, which rang in the MCU’s Phase Five. Other movies like Disney+’s Chang Can Dunk (2023) and Prom Pact (2023) have already made their way to the little screen, leaving 11 more exciting releases that will span across the rest of the year—including some major blockbusters. Here’s what you can expect to see in the coming months:

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” – May 5

Perhaps one of Disney’s most highly-anticipated Marvel Studios collaborations to date, James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will see the titular team reuniting for one last ride—this time, to take down a dangerous new threat known as the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). The movie will mark the second instillation in the MCU’s Phase Five, and sees Chris Pratt (Star-Lord/Peter Quill), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Vin Diesel (Groot), Karen Gillan (Nebula), and Pom Klementieff (Mantis) reprising their roles alongside Iwuji and franchise newcomer Will Poulter (Adam Warlock).

“The Little Mermaid” – May 26

The latest in Disney Studios’ ongoing efforts to bring their animated classics to live action, the Halle Bailey-led The Little Mermaid swims into theaters next month—and anticipation is through the roof. A reimagined take on the original story of the same name, the film stars an A-list cast from the likes of Melissa McCarthy, who plays the infamously evil Ursula, Awkwafina as a gender-flipped Scuttle, Antonio Banderas as King Triton, and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, among others. Bailey’s goosebump-inducing take on “Part of Your World” is available on music streaming platforms now.

“The Boogeyman” – June 2

Originally set to premiere on Hulu, the latest Stephen King adaptation, The Boogeyman, will now get a summer theatrical release, promising haunts and horrors galore. The original short story follows a troubled man named Lester Billings, who believes that “The Boogeyman” is terrorizing him by killing all three of his children. In the upcoming movie, directed by Rob Savage, the plot will deviate slightly from the source material, focusing rather on Sadie Harper (Sophie Thatcher) and her little sister, Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair), still reeling from the unexpected death of their mother. Things get stranger when a desperate patient shows up at their house, begging for help from their psychiatrist father (David Dastmalchian).

“Elemental” – June 16

Pixar is going all-out for their upcoming collaboration with Disney, the animated Elemental. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film takes place in Element City, a place where anthropomorphic fire, water, land, and air residents live together. Things start to heat up when fire elemental Ember (Leah Lewis) is forced to form an unlikely relationship with water elemental Wade (Mamoudou Athie) in a world where “elements don’t mix.” Elemental will premiere early at the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival ahead of its theatrical release on June 16.

Ember and Wade stand next to each other in Elemental.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” – June 30

Perhaps the most anticipated project on Disney’s 2023 film slate, the final installment of the beloved Indiana Jones franchise is coming to theaters this summer. After a decades-long partnership with Disney and Lucasfilm, its star, Harrison Ford, will be hanging up his hat and bullwhip after Dial of Destiny. But there’s still plenty to be excited about, from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who plays Indy’s equally as adventurous goddaughter, to Mads Mikkelsen, who stars as the villainous ex-Naxi, Jürgen Voller. The James Mangold-directed movie is sure to be a fitting goodbye to such an iconic character, and will also premiere early at Cannes in May.

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

“Haunted Mansion” – July 28

Yet another Disney remake, 2023’s The Haunted Mansion will refresh the Halloween classic audiences were first introduced to nearly 20 years ago. Starring a truly impressive cast, from Owen Wilson, to Tiffany Haddish, to Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, the film will see the ensemble of spiritual “experts” attempting to fight off strange, supernatural entities—with lots of laughs along the way.

Gabbie and Travis in Grand Hall Ballroom scene, Haunted Mansion movie

“A Haunting in Venice” – September 15

Based on Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot mystery series, A Haunting in Venice will see Oscar nominated director Kenneth Branagh and a new cast consisting of Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, Michelle Yeoh, and Kyle Allen working together to solve a truly head-scratching murder-mystery. Distributed by 20th Century Studios, the movie is scheduled to be released this fall.

“The Creator” – September 29

Directed by Rogue One’s Gareth Edwards, the upcoming sci-fi action movie The Creator, has earned rave reviews after footage was screened at CinemaCon. Starring John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ralph Ineson, Allison Janney, and other talented performers, the movie is scheduled to be released this fall by 20th Century Studios.

“The Marvels” – November 10

Captain Marvel’s Brie Larson, WandaVision breakout star Teyonah Parris, and Ms. Marvel‘s Iman Vellani are teaming up for the MCU’s next major crossover event in The Marvels. Picking up sometime after the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), the story will follow the trio of superheroes as they try to figure out why their powers are interconnected with each other. The movie has been postponed and delayed several times by Marvel Studios, but after waiting patiently for the better part of a year, fans can finally look forward to seeing it in theaters this fall.

“Next Goal Wins” – November 17

The sports comedy Next Goal Wins has a very famous director attached to it: none other than Thor: Love and Thunder‘s Taika Waititi. Set to follow a football coach (Michael Fassbender) who tries to turn a fledgling footabll team into superstars, the movie is based on a real-life documentary of the same name. It arrives in theaters this November.

“Wish” – November 22

At CinemaCon, it was revealed that Chris Pine would lend his voice to Disney Animation’s Wish, a movie that will explore how the legend of the wishing star came to be. Pine will play King Magnifico alongside West Side Story‘s Ariana DeBose, who voices Asha. Set in the magical kingdom of Rosas, Asha, a witty and compassionate young woman, finds her plea answered by a far-off, cosmic force after wishing on a star. With the help of the cosmos, Asha sets off face on an adventure to stop the most formidable of foes in order to save her community.